Chapter Four
“Don’t get me wrong, it’s a cute dress. Just kinda conservative.”
Kylie Richardson glanced down at the simple blue sheath and sighed. She almost always wore jeans. She liked jeans. They were comfortable, casual, easy. Dresses always made her think of Easter and holding her stomach in. Why on earth had she agreed to go on this date? Just the thought of it made her palms clammy.
“If I were you, I’d be showing off those curves,” her friend Mallory said before taking a bite of her apple fritter.
“Well, that’s a nice way of putting it,” Kylie said with a laugh that ended in a groan. Since moving to Blackfoot Falls, Montana, and opening The Cake Whisperer thirteen months ago, she’d gained six pounds. Obviously from enjoying too many of her own cupcakes.
Mallory stopped chewing and swallowed. “What do you mean?”
She’d moved from California and opened the bar next door about the same time and they’d become fast friends. Tall and slim with honey-colored hair that Kylie coveted with unabashed envy, Mallory didn’t have to worry about indulging her sweet tooth.
The bell above the door jingled, saving Kylie from having to reply.
Aunt Sally, who owned the Cut and Curl—the only beauty parlor in town—walked into the bakery and frowned at the dress. “Oh, for heaven’s sake, you still have that old thing?”
“I was hoping you didn’t get that at the new consignment boutique.” Rachel Gunderson, another friend who knew practically everyone within a hundred miles, entered right behind Aunt Sally. “It doesn’t flatter you at all.”
Kylie spotted the elderly Lemon sisters across the street, squinting and trying to see them through the window. “Lock the door, will you, Rachel?” The bakery was closed for the day but Kylie should’ve known better. People around their small town didn’t pay any attention to signs or wait for invitations.
Usually Kylie didn’t mind, and she certainly welcomed these women. Her aunt was the main reason Kylie had chosen to settle in Blackfoot Falls. But she sure didn’t need any more opinions about her dress.
Rachel’s attention had wandered to Mallory. “Did that just come out of the oven?”
“Tastes like it,” Mallory muttered around another bite of the fritter.
“They’re from this morning,” Kylie said, grateful for the distraction. “I have a couple left in the back. Some scones too, I think. Go help yourselves.”
Sally looked as if she was struggling with temptation. “Good Lord, girl, I don’t know how you learned to bake like an angel,” she said, smoothing a hand over her ample hip. This month her naturally brown hair was tinted auburn...kind of close to Rachel’s color. “Your mom sure didn’t teach you. That sister of mine could burn ice cream.”
Rachel emerged from the back with a tray of goodies. “What about the turnovers? Are they off-limits?”
“Nope. Just forgot about ’em.”
Sally sighed and snatched one with a dark golden crust. “Sassy’s should still be open. Get on over there and find yourself something sexy,” she said before taking a bite. “By the way, who’s the lucky guy?”
“Oh, you expect me to volunteer a name?” Kylie brought out a stack of napkins from under the counter. “You really think I’m that stupid?”
“Well, I figure it’s better than us asking around until we find out.”
Kylie groaned.
“You know what? Sassy’s is a good idea,” Rachel said. “Beth Landers dropped off a bunch of clothes yesterday. Nice stuff. Some of it designer.”
“Then hell yes, you’d better get over there before the Sundance guests get wind of it.” Sally licked the tips of her long red-painted fingernails. “They’ll be swarming the place like vultures.”
Rachel chuckled. “Good point,” she said, clearly taking no offense. Her family owned the Sundance. Back when the town had faced hard times, it had been Rachel’s idea to turn a portion of the sprawling cattle operation into a dude ranch.
“Beth has to be five inches taller than me.” Kylie was tempted, though. Beth owned a cute boutique inn on Main Street and always looked so great.
